Through their designated fund, the Glassmans are ensuring Jewish continuity through education.

Taking pride in your Jewish identity is something that Rose Marie Glassman feels is of utmost importance for the Jewish youth of today. The continuity of the Jewish people was a passion for her late husband, Leon Glassman z’l, and this passion is evidenced in the values passed on to the entire family. It is for this reason that Rose Marie Glassman is committed to building the fund established by her late husband in 2017. The Leon Glassman Fund for Jewish Continuity through Education provides tuition assistance for Vancouver’s Jewish day schools. Glassman believes that every Jewish child is entitled to a Jewish education and that cost should not be a barrier. She feels strongly that having a Jewish day school education is fundamentally important for a strong Jewish identity and enables young people to take pride in their Jewish identity even in the face of rising antisemitism.

Glassman was five years old when she first encountered antisemitism. She was playing outside in front of her house when two boys across the street started taunting her with antisemitic slurs and throwing pebbles at her. Horrified, Glassman immediately went inside to tell her mother what had transpired. Rather than cower inside in fear, her mother told her “go back outside and tell them you are proud to be a Jew.” This has stuck with Glassman throughout the course of her life, and she encourages others to cultivate this same pride in their Jewish identity and that of their children, grandchildren, and generations to come – “Investing in Jewish education for all Jewish youth, regardless of family income is critical to Jewish continuity and will ensure our Jewish legacies live on.” says Glassman.

On why the Glassmans chose the Jewish Community Foundation at which to start the fund, Glassman does not hesitate – “this is who we are!” Both Rose Marie and Leon Glassman were heavily involved in the Jewish community throughout their entire lives, volunteering and contributing to nearly every Jewish agency in the community. It is due to this deep connection that Glassman knows having a fund with the Jewish Community Foundation goes beyond a sound investment and financial stability – it also speaks to the continuation of the strong Jewish community in which she believes so strongly.